China's Politics and Economy in 2003: Meeting the Post-Congress Challenges

John Wong, Zheng Yongnian and Lye Liang Fook

With the new team of Chinese leaders at the helm following the successful hosting of the 16th Party Congress in November 2002, the attention of China scholars has now shifted to the raft of challenges that await the new leadership. In the economic realm, there are unlikely to be any sharp changes in the direction of economic policy-making although the leadership faces a number of daunting issues, such as rising urban unemployment, potential rural unrest and the huge debt burden of state banks.

In the political arena, power succession has only just begun even though the leadership transition is almost complete. It is unclear how the working relationship among the triumvirate of Hu Jintao, Zeng Qinghong and Wen Jiabao will unfold. The jury is still out whether Hu Jintao can provide the leadership and vision to deal head-on with a number of burning issues, like corruption and the need for political reform.

John WONG is Research Director at East Asian Institute, National University of Singapore.
ZHENG Yongnian is Director at East Asian Institute, National University of Singapore.
LYE Liang Fook is Senior Research Officer at East Asian Institute, National University of Singapore.

publication year: 2003
68 pages
ISBN: 981-238-396-4  Paperback  US$18.00  S$32.00
      
A joint imprint with World Scientific.
A title in the East Asian Institute Contemporary China Series.